"A couple of years ago, after I put out my first couple of Steampunk fairy tale books, I joined the Steampunk society as one of the ways to get out and meet other people who were interested, and also to push myself out of my comfort zone," Dreece said.

"There are those elements of hopefulness and inventiveness and creativity. It's got some of those alternate possibility questions thrown out there."

Pete Justine met his partner Josanna two decks ago, in part through a community similar to Steampunk. (Ellis Choe/CBC)

For musician Pete Justine with the band Hazel Grey, Steampunk is more than that. It's how he met his partner.

"My wife and I have been performing in costume for about 20 years. We met at a little place in Texas. I did a scissor kick off of her table, which is a great way to not have her want to get to know me," Justine said with a laugh.

"But here we are now 20 years later, with three kids and still playing music, doing what we love doing together.

"It seemed to be a good fit when we found the Steampunk community here in Calgary. We jumped right in and really fell in love with the community."

Listen to the sounds of the Steampunk Alice and Wonderland tea party:

If you're out and about in Calgary and come across a group of people dressed up in old fashioned goggles, leather, and Victorian outfits, don't be alarmed. They may well be members of the local Steampunk Assemblage. The Steampunk sub-culture, inspired by science fiction and 19th century industrial steam powered machines, has a huge following all over the world. Today we continue our series introducing you to some impassioned hobbyists in the city. The Homestretch's Ellis Choe met up with the head of the assemblage Mike Johnson and some of his friends at their annual Alice in Wonderland Tea party in northeast Calgary. 7:33